Illuminated case



S. J. CANNAVA ILLUMINATED CASE Sept. 6, 1949.

Filed May 25, 1946 Will S. J. CANNA-VA ILLUMINATED CASE Sept 6, 19419.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1946 w 77% 2% E w Inventor Patented Sept. 6, l 949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUMINATED' CASE Santo J Cannava, Boston, Mass.

Application May 25, 1946, Serial No. 672,216

1 Claim.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in illuminated cases, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herein described, such as may be conveniently and effectively employed for the storage of jewels, cigarettes, and the like.

Generally speaking, the invention assumes the form of a receptacle provided with a storage compartment, the latter inturn, being equipped with a hingedly connected lid. A convenient source of light is provided for illuminating the storage compartment and the receptacle is also formed with a further compartment, containing batteries and a switch for controlling the source of light. When the lid is closed, the switch is normally open, and the opening of the lid closes the switch and energizes the source of light.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device-which, by virtue of the construction above i outlined, is entirely self-contained and therefore, is independent of the lighting circuit in homes, offices, or the like, where the invention may be used.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide an illuminated case which is simple in construction, neat and pleasing in appearance, and which cannot easily become damaged.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an illuminated case in which the storage compartment is readily accessible and in which the batteries may be easily and conveniently replaced.

A still further object of the invention is reprovide an illuminated case which will readily lend itself to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects in view, and such other objects as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, partially broken away to reveal its construction.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken in the plane of the line 33 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the subject shown in Figure 4, illustrating the same partially broken away to reveal its construction.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken in the plane of the line B-6 in Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional de- 2. tail, illustrating the hinged connection of the lid to the receptacle.

Like characters of reference are used to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, more particularly, to the Figures 1, 2', 3 and '7 thereof, the invention embodiesin its con.- struction, abox-like receptacle'designated generally by the reference character in, the samebeing provided with a vertically extending partition I l, which separates the interiorof the receptacle into a relatively large storage compartment l2 and a relatively small mechanical compartment l3;

It will be noted that the compartment I2 is open at the topthereof and the compartment I3 is open at the bottom thereof, the receptacle ill in eiiect', consisting of the. side walls M, the top wall l5 and the bottom l6, as will be clearly apparent from the accompanying drawings- A lidl'lz-is. provided on the open top of the storage compartment l2, this. lidbeing hingedly connected to the receptacle by means of suitable pins [8, extending into the adjacent walls l4 and- I5, as: is best. shown in Figures. 21 and '7. One edge of the lid I1 is also formed with a recess l9, to facilitate the opening of the lid.

A plurality of" suitable resilient clamps 21 are provided in the mechanical compartmentv l3, these clamps being adapted to replaceably receive a dry battery or a plurality of dry batteries 22.. The compartment i3 also contains a switch designated generally by the reference character'23, this being hereinafter more fully described.

A tubular, upright standard. 24 ispressed; at the lower end thereof into an aperture 25, provided in the top plate IS, the upper end of this standard being internally threaded as at 26, to provide a socket for an incandescent lamp 21. This lamp is configurated substantially as shown, and is adapted to support a suitable lamp shade 28.

The aforementioned switch assembly 23 includes a resilient arm 29, which extends into a suitable recess 30 provided in the partition H and normally engages the underside of the lid ll. The switch is in circuit with the batteries 22 and the lamp 21 by means of the conductors 3|, and it should be understood that while the lid I1 is closed, the switch 23 is open and the lamp 2! is not energized.

When the lid I1 is opened, the strip 29 is released and springs upwardly by virtue of the inherent resiliency thereof, so that it contacts a terminal Referring now to the modified embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying Figures 4, 5 and 6, the receptacle shown herein is designated generally by the reference character 33, and is similar in constructionto the afore mentioned receptacle l 0.

For reference purposes, it may be stated that the receptacle 33 includes the partition 34 separating the storage compartment 35 from the mechanical compartment 36, the compartment 35 being provided with the hinged lip 31. The batteries 38 are mounted in suitable clamps 39 provided in the compartment 36, and the latter compartment also contains the switch assembly 40. The switch 40 includes the resilient arm 4|, ;this extendin into a recess 42 provided in the partition 34, and engaging the underside of the lid 31.

The source of light for illuminating the compartment 35 consists of an incandescent lamp 43, this being positioned'in' a suitable opening 44 formed centrally in the partition 34 and being mounted in a suitable socket 45. It will be noted that this socket is supported by a bracket 46' attached to the partition 34, interiorly of the compartment 36.

The actuation of the lamp 43 by opening and closing of the lid 31 .is similar tothat already described in connection with the lamp 21 and the lid l1. It is believed that the. function of the batteries 38 and the switch assembly #0 will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawings in view of the foregoing description, so that further explanation thereof at this point is unnecessary. i 7

It should be noted however, that while the compartment I2 is illuminated from the outside, so to speak, thecompartment 35'is illuminated interiorly, with particularly novel and pleasing effects. i,

If desired, the walls defining the compartment 35, including the partition 34" and the lid 31, may be constructed from transparent ortranslucent material, so that the light rays emanating from the lamp 43 may be refracted and propagated Number 4 through the medium of said walls, to produce an eifect of luminescence. This propagation of the light rays is generally indicated in the accompanying Figure 4 by the arrows 41,

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

An illuminated case comprising an elongated substantially rectangular receptacle open at the top and bottom, a transverse partition carried by the receptacle and dividing the same into a storage compartment and a mechanical compartment, an upper wall carried by the upper edges of said receptacle at one end for said mechanical compartment, a hinged closure for the upper end of said storage compartment, an illuminating member, a battery mounted ins'aid mechanicalcome partment and including a terminal, means con,- necting the terminal of said battery to said illumi nating' member, a grounding plate carried'by said upper wall, a resilient contact lingerv connected to said illuminating rnemberand including an' angulated free end portion, said partition having a recess receiving the angulated end portion of. said contact finger, the angulated end :portion of said contact finger engaging said hinged closure'during the closing'movement-thereof to urge the contact finger in spaced relation to said grounding plate, said contact finger bearing against said grounding plate duringopeningof saidhinged closure.

SANTO J. CANNAYA.

REFERENCES CITED 7 The following references are of recordin the fileof this patent: :v

NITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Finkbeiner Apr. 16, 1918 Preisz May 23, 1939 Motz May 28, 1940 Dawson Sept. 9, 1941 Klarfield Jan. 20, ,1942 Curle Oct. 27, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number 

